Delta Dental invests $131 million to improve oral health care across the U.S., benefiting 24 million people, including nearly 260,000 Missourians. Discover how this commitment boosts access and health outcomes nationwide.
Delta Dental Invests $131 Million to Expand Oral Health Care for 24 Million Americans
Delta Dental’s 2025 Community Impact Report shows how $131 million in targeted investments helped more than 24 million people access oral health care across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
In Missouri, those efforts hit close to home. St. Louis-based Delta Dental of Missouri invested more than $1.8 million, reaching nearly 260,000 residents through local programs, grants, and education initiatives.
A Nationwide Commitment to Oral Health
Released on June 5, 2026, the 2025 Community Impact Report outlines three core priorities that shaped Delta Dental’s community investments last year:
- Expanding access to care for underserved populations
- Strengthening the oral health workforce to meet growing demand
- Advancing whole-person health models that connect oral health with overall well-being
These aren’t one-time efforts. Over the past 16 years, Delta Dental has invested more than $2.4 billion to improve oral and overall health outcomes nationwide — making it the nation’s largest oral health philanthropist.
What This Means for Missouri
Delta Dental of Missouri’s $1.8 million investment touched nearly 260,000 people across the state. Programs included:
- Oral health grants supporting community health organizations
- Workforce development initiatives to grow the dental care pipeline
- Land of Smiles® dental education for children
- Community donations supporting local health causes
“Everyone deserves a healthy smile, and we’re proud to support community initiatives across Missouri that strengthen Delta Dental’s nationwide impact,” said Stacy Harris, executive director of community impact at Delta Dental of Missouri. “These investments expand access to care, strengthen the workforce and support healthier communities.”
Exploring the Full Report
The 2025 Community Impact Report includes both national data and state-by-state highlights. It also features examples of local partnerships driving real progress in prevention, treatment, and education. You can read the full report at https://www.deltadental.com/cir/.
About Delta Dental of Missouri
Delta Dental of Missouri is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit and the state’s leading dental benefits provider. It serves more than 2.41 million members with access to affordable, high-quality dental and vision care through group and individual plans.
The organization also supports oral health education, charitable programs, and free dental care for those in need. Its Missouri Dental Care Resource Guide helps residents find low-cost and free dental services statewide — available at deltadentalmo.com/resourceguide. Learn more at www.DeltaDentalMO.com.
About Delta Dental Plans Association
Based in Chicago, Delta Dental Plans Association is the national not-for-profit association of 39 independent Delta Dental companies. Together, they form the nation’s largest dental benefits provider, backed by approximately 151,000 participating dentists. Over the last 16 years, Delta Dental companies and their foundations have invested more than $2.4 billion to improve the oral and overall health of communities across the country.
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